FARES TRAVELLER

Stag weekends are best held at places with a vibrant nightlife – a must to make bustling parties a raging success. That makes Bristol (an industrial city and port in southwestern England near the mouth of the River Avon) one of those places that are much sought after for holding stag weekends; with its beautiful setting and friendly locals, the storming city of Bristol is currently a hot favorite among people willing to go the whole hog.

For stag weekends Bristol, the best way is to go by a car via the M4 and the M5; these two highways grant easy access to both east-west as well as north-southwest sides. In case you want to avail the train, you must be either at London Paddington or at London Waterloo to start from. From there, the route should be towards either Bristol Parkway or towards Bristol Temple Meads, which is also close to central Bristol.

The reasons that make Bristol stand out from the rest of the places are its daytime activities. A Bristol stag weekend is incomplete without the driving experience; so choose yours from a vast array of 4 x 4-s, quad bikes and mud buggies. It provides for rolling through the Bristol countryside in your most preferred way. The next set of activities includes clay pigeon shooting, since the option is available at the venue itself.  Else, just a stroll around the Bristol fairways and playing golf should provide enough excitement to make your day.

The evenings at Bristol are incomplete if proper accommodation is overlooked; it doesn’t pay to experience the bars at and around Baldwin Street and St. Nicholas Street and then spend the night under the sky, unless you intend to. For a more retro feel, there is also a large concentration of old-fashioned pubs off Park Street and Park row; also at the Berkeley Square. The best way to visit them is to start in this area, winding down slowly towards the harbor-front that features the best late night bars and casinos. That way you can have a good time at each place while still leaving the best for the last so you can sign off with a bang at the end of your stag weekend.

The city of Bristol also has a number of themed bars, clubs and restaurants; if you are up for some different kind of pleasure, nothing shall prove better than these.

International sim cards are of great use when you often need to make overseas visits. In case you need to keep in constant touch with people back home then phone bills is an important aspect to manage. Different connection companies come with various different offers. So, one should put in a bit of research to choose the best company to get the value of money.

There are some things one must keep in mind. Some of them are:

1.      First thing first, one should check the various reviews of these companies. It gives a good over view of the network coverage and the cost charged. Do not stick to the reviews offered by these companies alone, look out and ask your friends and colleagues. A personal experience always gives a better update on anything.

2.      Do not forget to compare the rates offered by these companies. Picking up a cheaper company is a good idea but you might be cutting down on various important facilities. So pick one which not only gives a low rate connection but suits your needs as well.

3.      If your sim card does not work in countries you visit, then it is of no use. So make sure the sim company has a good coverage in the countries you wish to visit.

We will assume that your trip went well, and you have your luggage. Now you have to leave the airport.

If you are not lucky enough to have family or friends to collect you, you have to find your way.

The easiest option is the airport or hotel shuttle.

In countries where there is a good public transport system, it is really easy to get around. Try to find small change before you leave, if not from the bank then from friends. The ticket machines need this change and you may end up having to buy a bottle of overpriced water to get a cheap ticket to travel. When you leave the country keep all the change you have for the next trip.

Taxis are convenient. Airport taxis are sometimes governed with a prescribed, if inflated tariff. Find out what the expected fee is so that you are not grossly over charged. Also research the route you should take. This could prevent the driver from taking you on a tour around the city to the destination which is only two blocks away. Ensure that the meter is working and they are not just charging you a random fee.

A hire car is another option.  These can all be booked on the internet and collected at the airport. Ensure you have your driver’s license and credit card to collect. You can check on the internet to see if you license is valid or whether you need an international license. Brush up on the rules of the road if different from yours.

When you return home, you can be on your way from the airport in no time at all. If you are parking at LAX for example, they have a system in place that allows you to collect your car very quickly.

You have been spending a lot of time at work, putting more hours to earn some extra cash in this difficult economic climate, and you are simply jaded.  You know you deserve a break nut you are not sure what to do or where to go.  Here are some pointers to help you plan a good vacation getaway as a reward for your hardworking habits.

1. Determine how much time you have for your vacation getaway.  Check on your leave credits at work to accommodate your travel plans.  If at all possible, take all of the available vacation leave credits (paid of course).  Make sure you give plenty of notice to your boss/es.

2. Plan how much you can afford to spend on a vacation getaway.  Keep in mind that travel always entails expenses so you have to plan ahead for a sensible budget that will allow you to enjoy your vacation but will not leave you in a financial lurch afterward.

3. Scout for good places to spend your vacation getaway.  Look up sights that you think you will enjoy and short list them.

4. Find a good travel companion.  If you happen to be single, ask a friend to join you in your vacation getaway.  If you are in are married or in a relationship, ask your husband/wife or your partner to come with you.  They might be in need of a time off too.  Discuss your concerns about the trip and come up with travel plans that are acceptable to both of you.  If you are planning a family vacation getaway though, it might need a more thorough planning and budgeting.

Travelling can be a very rewarding experience especially for people who work hard and deserve a nice time to enjoy themselves and get the chance to do the things that they otherwise do not have the time to do.